This unit applies to current or aspiring specialty SCUBA dive guides or instructors working in a range of conditions that include taking still photographs underwater to a maximum depth of 18 metres. This may include those working for private dive schools or companies operating at coastal sites or through holiday resorts.
SISOSCB301A SCUBA dive in open water to a maximum depth of 18 metres
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the Evidence Guide. |
1. Plan photography dive. | 1.1. Determine factors affecting site selection and ensure selected photography dive site meets industry technical and safety criteria, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures. 1.2. Access information on the dive site and identify potential underwater photography hazards and implement procedures to minimise risks. 1.3. Identify and apply principles of photograph composition according to industry technical and safety criteria. |
2. Select and use underwater photography equipment. | 2.1. Select underwater photography equipment according to industry technical and safety criteria. 2.2. Assess equipment for safety and suitability and demonstrate pre-diveequipment care according to industry technical and safety criteria. |
3. Take photographs underwater. | 3.1. Apply underwater photography techniques to different subjects according to dive plan and organisational policies and procedures. 3.2. Maintain position that limits the negative impact of environmental conditions on the photographs. 3.3. Take photographs using strobe lighting to minimise backscatter. 3.4. Complete photographs that are satisfactorily exposed and focused. 3.5. Demonstrate post-diveequipment care according to industry technical and safety criteria. |
4. Evaluate photography dive. | 4.1. Evaluate relevant aspects of the underwater photography dive. 4.2. Identify improvements for future photography dives. |
Required skills |
planning and organising skills to: operate and maintain underwater photography equipment select underwater subjects to photograph practice a range of techniques problem-solving skills to negotiate underwater hazards and risks technology s kills to operate underwater photography equipment numeracy skills to use angles and distances when taking still photographs of subjects underwater first aid and emergency response skills appropriate to the site to enable initial response to emergencies and personal health care. |
Required knowledge |
legislation, organisational policies and procedures and industry technical and safety criteria to enable safe and legal conduct of underwater photography activities minimal impact interactions and techniques to minimise negative impact on aquatic animal and plant life selection, use and maintenance of underwater photography equipment, characteristics and technology, the advantages and disadvantages of the range of equipment, and factors affecting appropriate selection of equipment underwater photography techniques, principles of photograph composition and effects of water on light and photography hazards and risks associated with underwater photography at a depth of 18 metres emergency, first aid and rescue procedures appropriate to the location to ensure risk minimisation to self and group. |
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package. | |
Overview of assessment | |
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit | Evidence of the following is essential: applies relevant process to select and use underwater photography equipment and undertakes pre and post dive equipment care negotiates hazards and risks and minimises negative impact on aquatic life throughout dive according to industry technical and safety criteria, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures evaluates and reflects on own underwater photography performance to identify factors affecting quality of photographs and own strengths, weaknesses and areas requiring improvement. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Assessment must ensure participation in multiple underwater photography activities to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance. Assessment must also ensure access to: resources and information to plan and select appropriate underwater photography equipment a suitable open water dive site to a maximum depth of 18 metres SCUBA diving and photography equipment. |
Method of assessment | A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit: oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of underwater photography techniques, hazards and risks observation of safe participation and use of photography equipment portfolio of underwater photographs, showing a range of subjects and techniques third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance. Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended. |
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included. | |
Factors affecting site selection may include: | entry and exit points bottom conditions aquatic life subject environmental conditions tides and currents water conditions. |
Industry technical and safety criteria may include: | British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC) Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) SCUBA Schools International (SSI). |
Relevant legislation may include: | occupational health and safety Permits or permission for access environmental regulations marine regulations. |
Organisational policies and procedures may include: | occupational health and safety communication protocols code of ethics minimal impact codes. |
Underwater photography hazards may include: | currents bottom composition loss of buoyancy hazardous aquatic life concentrating on subject rather than diving nitrogen narcosis decompression illness barotrauma equipment failure mobility dexterity corrosion. |
Risks may include: | hypothermia heat exhaustion injuries exhaustion lost part or party member equipment failure |
Principles of photograph composition may include: | definition image completeness foreground background subject direction and position lighting contrast. |
Underwater photography equipment may include: | camera housing strobe aiming lights lenses trays arms sealing rings recharging systems film maintenance kit developing facilities. |
Pre-dive equipment care may include: | tools cleaning lubrication sealing rings batteries or electronics lens strobe camera. |
Underwater photography techniques may include: | proximity to the subject to minimise loss of colour maintaining smooth movements lighting and composition using interesting angles focussing strobe different environmental conditions taking photographs of different subject matter. |
Subjects may include: | fish aquatic mammals aquatic plant life shipwrecks cave systems portraits of other divers. |
Position may include: | diver propulsion buoyancy control body positioning. |
Negative impact may include: | suspended particles light loss colour absorption. |
Post-dive equipment care may include: | washing lubricating batteries electronics. |
Relevant aspects may include: | objectives planning process activity site weather equipment selection clothing selection food selection instructional content instructional technique assessment technique group feedback directing techniques rescue techniques employed. |
Outdoor Recreation
This unit contains employability skills.
No licensing, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.